'Bad 25' Is About the Man and His Music, not the Madness

SPIKE Lee had a mandate from both the Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Music Entertainment: focus on the music and the art.

He followed through, and the result is “Bad 25,” the documentary that celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's iconic “Bad” album. It recounts the making of the album one track at a time.

The film makes its U.S. debut today in New York only for a weeklong run at the Loews AMC Theater (66 Third Ave). It will make its TV debut at 9:30 p.m. EST on 22 Nov. on ABC.

While “Bad 25” does not focus on the personal problems and peccadilloes of the King of Pop, his eccentricity comes through. For it is impossible to be that talented and not have a few oddball habits, and MJ – God love ’im – had his share. In his defense, however, he was at the time of the "Bad" recording trying to top (or come close) “Thriller,” which is still the biggest selling album of all time. Imagine the pressure!

“Bad 25” had its world premiere at the 69th Venice Film Festival on 31 Aug., exactly 25 years after the release of the “Bad” album and two days after the anniversary of MJ’s birthday. The film, which had its North American premiere at the 37th Toronto Film Festival, reveals a number of details that fans will savor. (See video above of SL at a press conference after the Venice screening of “Bad 25” and a video clip from the documentary below)

Without a doubt, SL is an MJ fan, and he doesn’t pretend otherwise. In fact, he admits it. Only one year older, he wanted to be MJ and the Jackson Five. His adulation, notwithstanding, doesn’t mean his film is revisionist propaganda. It is not, though at moments it feels a bit too adulatory. As SL says during the Venice press conference, “I think there were too many years, we – and I’m gonna include myself – we concentrated on stuff about Michael Jackson that had nothing to do with the music. This is a time to just concentrate on the music of Michael Jackson. It was a chance to dig into his creative process.”

The director also speaks with many who were influenced by MJ, as well as collaborators, including Quincy Jones and Martin Scorsese, who directed the “Bad” video.

Put the focus on the artistry – which even MJ’s most ardent detractors can’t deny – and the result can easily be “Bad 25.” To help tell the “Bad” story, SL uses never-before-seen footage – a huge benefit of having the cooperation of both the estate and the record company.

“We all are blessed with the final work but it is rare that you get to see how something is put together,” SL shared with his audience in Venice. “We don't see the blood, sweat and tears – all of the work that goes into how the masters work.”

Now, we do.

“Bad 25” will be showing from 26 Oct. through 2 Nov. at the Chinese 6 Theaters (6801 Hollywood Blvd.) in Hollywood.

Chew on This: Might You Have the Hoover Syndrome?

Bright, festive dishes like green bean salad are a feast for the eyes and can be for the mouth if eaten at the proper pace. Photo from Whole Foods Market.

By Janet Cook NYC HEALTHY CHICK

TO Hoover or not to Hoover, that is the question.

Tell me, have you ever had this experience? One minute there is a plate full of delicious food in front of you, the next minute – poof – it’s gone, and you have absolutely no idea where it all went? If this is the case, then you suffer from Hoover Syndrome (HS)

What exactly is HS? It's a condition marked by one mentally checking out right before s/he eats a meal while having no clue what s/he ate or how it tasted after sucking it down in a New York minute – like a vacuum cleaner, probably a Hoover.

We are all guilty of it, including me, from time to time. HS usually occurs while we are sitting in front of the television or computer, reading a book or magazine, talking on the phone or multitasking while at the same time eating a meal or snack. When we fail to turn our full attention to the process of eating, we tend to be less mindful of what and how we are eating. Thus, leading to less-than satisfying meals and excessive snacking because the brain doesn't register what’s being eaten, causing hunger and persistent cravings.

When we suck up our food like a vacuum cleaner, it promotes hunger, cravings and gas. Photo from Compare Vaccum Cleaners.

Did you know that eating begins with the simple act of chewing? The next time you eat a meal alone or with others, observe your eating habits. Are you rushing and taking mega bites before you have even swallowed the previous one? Or are you relaxed, taking one bite at a time then chewing your food until it becomes nothing but liquid in your mouth?

Before you sit down for your next meal at the kitchen table be sure to check out NYC Healthy Chick's Chewy Good Tips:
1. Chew each mouthful of food at least 30 times before swallowing. Chewing breaks down food and makes it easier on the stomach and small intestine to digest;

2. Saliva assists in the digestion of carbohydrates. Saliva also makes food more alkaline, which creates less gas. Nobody likes having gas. Gas is experienced in the stomach and intestine, but it is caused by spleen imbalances;

3. If under pressure at meal time, take deep breaths, chew, and let the simple act of chewing relax you. When you learn to slow down and enjoy your meal, you get to have a party in your mouth that is bursting with a whole spectrum of tastes and aromas;

4. Create a ritual for good chewing before, during and after your meal. I have done this myself and I always have fun while honoring the food I am eating to nourish my body;

An apple a day can keep the doctor away. Such a healthy food choice also aids in honing chewing skills. Photo from Redmond Molloy.

5. I wash my hands, then create a clean quiet place to eat. If I am at home, I play soft, relaxing music – usually is Chris Botti's “Italia” (2007). I bless my food by saying, "Bless this food and where it goes in my body. Amen." I stretch, breathe, align my spine before taking my first bite and continue doing so throughout the meal. In between bites, I put my utensils down and place my hands on my lap; I partially close my eyes. If alone, I say thanks at the end of my meal. With friends, I sit and talk after the meal. Even better is to go for a walk afterward.

Below are two of NYC Healthy Chick's sure-fire hits to get you practicing your new chewing and eating habits pronto.

Green Bean Salad With Goat Cheese Dressing. Not only is this dish colorful and tangy, the balance of crisp-cooked green beans and sweet raw corn kernels gets those juices firing inside of your mouth that will knock your socks off. (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/3012)

Imagine you are a Martian scientist when trying out Baked Artichokes Stuffed with Red Quinoa. Explore this hearty dish as though it's your first time seeing it.
(http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2960)

When you create a relaxing process around eating, your food experience is more rewarding and fulfilling. This is the shift I have personally experienced over the past years since becoming a holistic health counselor and it has enhanced the juicy, sassy and healthy lifestyle I have created for myself.

With its combination of texture, color and hearty flavors, artichoke stuffed with red qunioa is a dish that should be savored, not swallowed whole. Photo by Whole Foods Market.

A caveat: One of the last places to practice your new eating and chewing habit is at a fast-food restaurant. Typically, the lighting is bright and music is playing to keep you moving along fast. Further, the food is dead and loaded with salt, sugar and fat to keep your brain craving it until the next meal at the establishment. I cannot stress enough that fast food should almost never be consumed unless it is the only choice on a long, Interstate roadtrip.

If you find yourself contemplating a trip to a major fast food burger chain that won’t be named for a Big triple-decker sandwich – don’t do it. Instead, find a quiet, clean place to enjoy a healthy balanced meal that will rock your world like a Michael Jackson video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4tpuu-Up90) and give yourself a fulfilling eating experience that will last you for hours.

Chew, chew, chew, so you don't end up with a tummy full of gas. Your stomach and small intestines will thank you for it later.

Is No 'Michael' Preferable to a Flawed Version?

The cover of Michael Jackson's latest album, the posthumous "Michael," above, features a crown in its proper place. Photo from michaeljackson.com.

HEAD’S UP: December again already. It’s the gifting season, which means more things to do with less time to do them in. Don’t despair. At VEVLYN’S PEN, we are here to help. For the next week or so — 12 days before Christmas ending on 22 Dec. — each day we will introduce a product/item, brand or nifty shop that we believe is worthy of consideration for those very special gifts.

Gift Idea No. 12 - the finale:

THE world, of course, loves and is still mourning Michael Jackson. Is it any wonder, then that the posthumous record, “Michael,” is the word’s No. 1 album at the moment. It was released on 14 Dec.

Last week a few hundred lucky New Yorkers were invited to the Roseland Ballroom where DJ Cassidy played MJ hits, dating to the Jackson 5. The actual reason for the gathering, however, was a listening party to celebrate the worldwide release of “Michael,” the next day.

The release has been the source of controversy because MJ died before it was finished. Critics, including the legendary Quincy Jones and MJ uber-collaborator, believe the record should not have been released for this reason. Many in favor of the release, except for fans, stand to gain financially from its release. Understandably, their sanctioning its release would be questioned by some.

Opinions, notwithstanding, the record is out. To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Surely, millions who haven’t heard it are curious, that includes the more than 25 million who stopped by the MJ Web site (http://www.michaeljackson.com/) where before its release they could listen to the whole album, then preorder it.

Yours Truly has listened and listened and listened to the CD that she came into possession of at a certain listening party. Below are my thoughts – track by track – of the 10 songs, featuring three guest artists:

Photo from www.fanpix.net.

TRACK 1. HOLD MY HAND (DUET WITH AKON) – Akon reminds fans in the liner notes that parts of this track were leaked before it was finished. He assures fans that they can now “hear it the way it was meant to be heard.” The lyrics are simple, uncomplicated and intelligible. MJ and Akon harmonize well together. It’s a good song in the spirit of “Rock with You.” Not a bad start. (Listen: http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/news/listen-entire-michael-album; See/hear: http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/hold-my-hand-video)

TRACK 2. HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT – Included in the liner notes are what are supposed to be personal notes written by MJ. About “Hollywood Tonight,” he scribbles, “… Runaway age 15 she dreams of fame riches … Her mission is to make it in Hollywood … the obstacles … are unbearable but she makes against her parents will = a true … based on a true story.”

The song starts off with chanting. Then scat-like sounds. A note from one instrument – a guitar perhaps – followed by too many to count. Danny Ray McDonald, Jr. and Michael Durham Prince should take a bow for some extra fine whistling. It sounds like a horn making a whistling sound rather than humans. The spoken word in the bridge by Taryll Jackson (no relation) heightens the drama as he recounts the pitfalls facing those seeking Hollywood fame. The arrangement is fantastic. “Hollywood Tonight” is catchy, engaging and thoroughly danceable. It will be huge in the clubs and on radio. All within earshot will be singing the hook: She’s going Hollywood/She’s going Hollywood tonight/She’s going Hollywood/She’s going Hollywood tonight/She’s going Hollywood/She’s going Hollywood tonight/It’s true, that you, may never ever have that chance again.

TRACK 3. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP – Though it is an inspirational anthem, "Keep Your Head Up" is terribly disjointed. It starts off recounting the travails of a jobless, single mother; from there man is destroying the environment, then all the world needs is love, and finally it is important to make every moment count, as the days are not promised. A mix of MJ’s velvety pop alto and a church choir give it a slight gospel tint as it nears the end, which is the best part of the song. It’s tight and goosebump-inducing with Michael and the chorus overlapping the hook and the last verse: Keeping your head up to the sky/Keeping your mind up stay alive/Gimme your wings so we can fly/ … I need your love/ I need you now/I need your light right here today/I need you now.

TRACK 4. (I LIKE) THE WAY YOU LOVE ME – A perfect companion for “She’s Out of My Life.” Think of “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” as the before and the former as the after. Vintage MJ in ballad mode. One of the best tracks on the record; it sounds finished, too.

Photo from Getty Pictures.

TRACK 5. MONSTER (FEATURING 50 CENT) – This one might have been on “Thriller" or "Bad.” “Monster (Featuring 50 Cent)” would be a perfectly fine funk/soul ditty, but for two poor marks: 50 Cent, whose rapping adds nothing to the track. Nothing! Elsewhere, one lyric in the hook, He’s an animal, sounds cringy-worthy odd with the others, He’s a monster/He’s a monster ... Back to the drawing board.

TRACK 6 BEST OF JOY – This is the track on every CD that is serviceable. It doesn’t stir emotions too much one way or the other. It’s squarely middle of the pack. “Best of Joy” will probably be on Side B of the album.

TRACK 7. BREAKING NEWS – Apparently, MJ didn’t completely have his say with “Leave Me Alone.” Here’s another screed against the media for its intense scrutiny of him. On “Leave Me Alone” he was angry, and rightfully so. With “Breaking News,” he is resigned. He’s rolling with the go. The main instruments, which lend the song a whimsical, teasing quality are the cymbals and the strings of The Benjamin Wright Orchestra. MJ is both amused and perturbed by the media elements that have a beef with him: Everybody watching the news on/Michael Jackson/They wanna see that I fall cause I’m/Michael Jackson/You write the words to destroy like/it’s a weapon. He is aware, too, of how technology has given birth to the 24-hour news cycle, No matter what/You wanna read it again/No matter what/You just wanna feed it again.

Photo from www.fanpix.net.

TRACK 8. (I CAN MAKE IT) ANOTHER DAY (FEATURING LENNY KRAVITZ) – I walked away but I was wrong/I can’t make it another day/You’re the one that makes me strong/I can’t make it another day/ You’re the fire that keeps me warm/I can’t make it another day/How did I get through this storm/I can’t live another day without your love … MJ’s vocals. LK’s electric guitar, lyrics and background vocals. The cymbals. LENNY’S ELECTRIC GUITAR. ROCK it ooouuut! The best vocal collaboration on the record and one of the best of MJ’s career … (See/hear: http://idolator.com/5346722/supposed-michael-jackson-song-another-day-leaks)

TRACK 9. BEHIND THE MASK – Most of the songs on the record have a prelude. One of the most arresting is courtesy of Mike Phillips' sexy, sultry, seductive saxophone (with cheers laid underneath) on rocking, pulsing “Behind the Mask” about a woman who may or may not be deceiving a man besotted with her. MP brings the sax sexy back several times, including at the bridge before MJ picks up again with one of the most muscular vocals on the record. Listen for this one, too, in the clubs and on radio ... Who do you love?/Is it me? Well?/I don’t know/Who do you love?/You know me … LOVE it.

TRACK 10. MUCH TOO SOON – The tempo, understandably is downbeat on this ballad, about the loss of love. Speckled with harmonica and accordion, “Much to Soon” is the record’s sole country-pop track. It is engaging, and the lyrics are tender. A stronger closer, however, would have been something like “(I Can Make It) Another Day (Featuring Lenny Kravitz)” or “Behind the Mask.”

Doubtless, MJ would have made some tweaks to “Michael” because he is a perfectionist. The record is not “MJ perfect” but it is good – far and away better than many finished records on the market. Does that mean that fans should not buy it? That is for each individual to decide for him/herself.

Millions the world over have already spoken ... Who do you love? Is it he? Well?

”Michael” is available wherever CDS are sold and also various places on line, including the official Michael Jackson store run by distributor, Sony, http://www.sonymusicdigital.com/michael-jackson/pages/5709473/; Amazon http://www.amazon.com/MICHAEL-Michael-Jackson/dp/B00192IV9U and Target, http://www.target.com, Search: Michael.